2024 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference

The 2024 Biennial National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Music Research and Teacher Education Conference will take place September 25-28, 2024, at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Biennial NAfME Conference welcomes the participation of future, current, and retired music educators, music teacher educators, administrators, and community and corporate partners who are passionate about the critical role of music education for all. With the NAfME Strategic Plan and A Blueprint for Strengthening the Music Teacher Profession as guideposts, attendees will benefit from current research, policy discourse, and dialogue concerning the human experience in music teaching and learning. Add your voice to the conversation and join in moving the culture of music education forward by attending!

Learn more about this event, register for the conference, and book your hotel reservation today!

Conference Registration

Registration is required to attend this event. Register now at 2024 Biennial NAfME Conference registration. All presenters must register for the conference by July 1, 2024. The early bird registration deadline for the conference is August 6, 2024.

Hotel Information

Make your hotel reservations early! Conference registration fees do not include hotel stay. Attendees must book their own hotel reservations. The NAfME room block rates per night are $225 (Single), $245 (Double), $265 (Triple), or $285 (Quad) at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, Georgia, which includes Wi-Fi in the hotel room. Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes in effect at the time of checkout.

Book your room today at The Westin Peachtree Plaza by calling 1-800-937-8461 or by using the reservation link https://book.passkey.com/e/50682068. The deadline to make your reservation is Sunday, August 25, 2024.

Conference Schedule

NAfME will post regular updates with more details about the conference as they become available.

Wednesday, September 25

• Onsite registration opens
• Preconference Forum
  Transforming Music Teaching and Learning Together
  This forum has the following strands, each offering a series of four sessions designed to engage attendees in meaningful discussions and group tasks toward transforming and strengthening the profession:
  • Cultivating Leadership from the Beginning (including programming for collegiates, early career PK12 teachers, and early career music teacher educators)
  • Unity, Strength, and Community in Music Education (including content related to mentoring, affinity groups, early career assistance, tapping expertise of retired members, universities working together toward curricular reform, and the potential of partnerships)
• Society for Research in Music Education (SRME) and Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE) meetings; NAfME journal editorial committee meetings
• New attendee orientation

Thursday, September 26

• Presentation and poster sessions (starting 8:30AM ET)
• NAfME strategic sessions, including sessions focused on the NAfME A Blueprint for Strengthening the Music Teacher Profession and Strategic Plan focused on:
  • What It Means to Be a Music Educator Today
  • Working with Faculty to Effect Curricular Change
  • Planning and Realizing Research toward Blueprint Goals
• Welcome reception
• Keynote Speaker: Omar Thomas, acclaimed jazz musician, educator, arranger, and award-winning composer

Friday, September 27

• Presentation and poster sessions (starting 8:30AM ET)
• NAfME strategic sessions (continued)
• Plenary Session: NAfME 2024 Senior Researcher Address

Saturday, September 28

• Presentation and poster sessions (starting 8:00AM ET)
• NAfME strategic sessions (continued)

Conference FAQ

Airport, Local Transportation, and Parking

• The Westin Peachtree Plaza is located at 210 Peachtree St. NW, in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, about 10 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• The closest subway station is MARTA-Peachtree station, which is about a 2-minute walk from the hotel. Rideshare services and taxis are also available from the airport.
• Parking at the hotel is valet only, at a daily rate of $55.00.

Local Restaurants, Activities, and Amenities

• Learn about restaurants at The Westin Peachtree Plaza and near the hotel.
• Visit Discover Atlanta to learn more about Atlanta, including things to do and places to eat.

Conference Planning Committee

• Deb Confredo, NAfME President-Elect and Conference Chair
• Scott Sheehan, NAfME President
• Mackie Spradley, NAfME Immediate Past President
• James Daugherty, President, Southern Division; NAfME National Executive Board Executive Committee Member
• NAfME Music Teacher Profession Advisory Committee Co-Chairs
  • Cecil Adderley
  • Carlos Abril
• Society for Research in Music Education (SRME) Conference Co-Chairs
  • Wendy Sims, SRME Chair
  • Philip Hash, SRME Chair-Elect
  • Beatriz Ilari, SRME Executive Committee member
• Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE) Conference Co-Chairs
  • Sean Powell, SMTE Chair
  • Ann Marie Stanley, SMTE Chair-Elect
  • Jay Dorfman, SMTE Communications Chair